Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Adams Electric Cooperative CEO and General Manager Steve Rasmussen (pictured right) presented American Red Cross South Central Pennsylvania Community Volunteer Leader Nikki Shariat and Executive Director Matt Leininger with two checks totaling $10,000 on Monday, July 27, 2015. The money donated is in support of the South Central Red Cross’ Heroes Program, which recognizes local individuals for their heroic and selfless acts performed in either Adams, Franklin, Fulton or York Counties.“We are pleased to support the American Red Cross and its efforts to recognize those dedicated individuals who go above and beyond in service of those in need,” stated Rasmussen. “The Red Cross and Adams Electric support a mission of improving the lives of those who live in the communities we both serve.”The generous donation included a matching gift from CoBank, a cooperative bank that operates an annual “Sharing Success” matching donation program with its client electric cooperatives.Adams Electric will also be working to help reduce the number of fire injuries and fatalities in the area by partnering with the Red Cross in bringing the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign to the local area. Through this joint effort, teams of Red Cross volunteers will canvas communities, installing smoke detectors and delivering fire prevention information to area residents.

Monday, July 20, 2015

The Harrisburg Organization for Hindu Religion and Culture presented a check for $1,453 to the Red Cross to support the earthquake relief effort in Nepal.“Everyone in our community was watching what was happening to the people of Nepal,” noted Yadu Acharya, Executive Director of the Organization for Hindu Religion and Culture. “When the idea came up to raise money for earthquake relief…we all trusted the Red Cross to make the connection.”
Pictured - American Red Cross Central Pennsylvania Region Chief Development Officer Barb Taylor (second from left) with l-r: Organization for Hindu Religion and Culture members Madhav Baskota, Yadu Acharya, and Chuda Dahal.

Friday, July 10, 2015

The White Rose Bar & Grill hosted its 5th Annual Golf Tournament in support of The American Red Cross South Central Chapter at the Outdoor Country Club in York on Friday, July 10, 2015. Over 130 golfers took to the links in a best ball scramble format that was played on a perfect summer afternoon. Prior to the start of play, Chapter Board President Patrick Ball thanked the participants for their support of the Red Cross. He also took a moment to recognize White Rose owner and fellow Red Cross board member Tom Sibol for his leadership in the event. Over the course of the past several years, Sibol’s efforts have raised close to $25,000 for the Red Cross.

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

The American Red Cross Central Pennsylvania Region received a 2015 Toyota RAV4 from Bobby Rahal Toyota during a special presentation held at the dealership in Mechanicsburg on Tuesday, July 7, 2015. Graciously donated by Bobby Rahal Toyota, the vehicle will now be used as part of the Red Cross’ emergency response operation, which assists thousands of people in the 22 counties served by the Central Pennsylvania Region.

“The Bobby Rahal Automotive Group and owners Pat and Ron Ferris are known for their philanthropic efforts in the community,” stated Red Cross Board Chair Karen Deklinski. “This vehicle is a priceless addition to our fleet and will enable us to better serve our clients in times of need.”

Bobby Rahal Automotive Group President John Rickards was joined by Toyota District Manager Emilio Isidoro-Ortiz in presenting the keys to representatives from the Red Cross. Rickards noted that while the Red Cross might be second responders to a disaster scene behind fire, police and EMS, they are the first responders for the people needing assistance following a disaster.

American Red Cross Central Pennsylvania Regional CEO Ellen Kyzer commented, “Here in Central Pennsylvania, the Red Cross responds to an average of one fire call every day. Over the past year we assisted over 750 families in times of crisis. Thanks to the extreme generosity of Toyota, and specifically the crew at Bobby Rahal Toyota, our ability to reach our clients where they are has been greatly improved.”

Thursday, July 2, 2015

SERVPRO of Hershey/Swatara is hosting a First Responder Golf Tournament to benefit The American Red Cross Central Pennsylvania Region and the Hershey Volunteer Fire Company at the East Course of Hershey Country Club on Friday, September 18, 2015.Cost is $175/person and includes 18 holes of golf (scramble format, no handicaps), free range balls, cart fees, a personalized bag tag, lunch, and buffet dinner. Group sponsorships are also available.To learn more, or to register, visit their website www.hersheygolftournament.com.

Since 2010, The American Red Cross has partnered with Penn State in offering Bleed Blue, a campaign designed to increase awareness of the constant need for blood and the lives touched by the donations that are collected. Last year alone there were more than 100 Bleed Blue Drives, resulting in over 3,600 units and 525 first time donors.From August through November, donors are encouraged to attend Bleed Blue Blood Drives that will be held throughout the area. All donors will be entered for a chance to win a pair of tickets to a Penn State home game, which includes special club seating and on-field recognition during the game as a Red Cross Bleed Blue Donor!The Red Cross Bleed Blue Team (pictured) gathered for an official kick-off event on Tuesday, June 30. Dates and locations of Bleed Blue Drives will be posted once they become available.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Red Cross Central Pennsylvania Regional CEO Ellen Kyzer (pictured) was presented with a $25K grant check from CommunityAid during a special event held at Colonial Park Mall in Harrisburg on Tuesday, June 16, 2015. CommunityAid awarded over $400,000 to area nonprofits during the event.

“The partners receiving checks today are doing so much good in our communities,” noted Glenn Chandler, CommunityAid Executive Director. “All we ever wanted to do was to help them to do more by removing some of the financial burden.”

The primary purpose of CommunityAid is to raise funds for distribution to local schools, churches, synagogues, temples, and nonprofit charitable organizations. They accomplish this by partnering with area businesses and organizations that agree to host clothing collection bins. Items donated through the bins are sold at one of three area CommunityAid thrift stores, with the proceeds being returned to the community in the form of grants.

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Girl Scout Troop 10368 in Middletown visited the Harrisburg Red Cross office to drop-off 200 Comfort Kits (100 adult and 100 child) that they had assembled on Saturday, June 20, 2015. They also brought additional items to be used in future kits.

Comfort kits are handed out to individuals and families following all types of disasters and contain items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, washcloths, razors, and deodorant. Children’s kits, depending on the age for whom they were meant, might have diapers, baby lotion, pacifiers, coloring books, and crayons.

“To collect the items the girls did a presentation at our monthly community meeting, asking their sister troops to donate specific items or cash,” commented Marilyn Taylor, the troop’s leader. “We made a flyer that the girls handed out to all of the troop leaders detailing what was needed. The girls then took the flyers home to pass out to friends and family.”

Marilyn noted that one of the girl’s aunts posted the flyer at her place of employment and received two bags full of items and $80 in cash donations to be used on additional items! Another girl created a stand at a family picnic and raised $60.

“Initially, the girls decided to use $200 of their troop’s funds for a shopping trip to purchase some of the items,” Marilyn stated. “When we realized even after receiving a lot of donations from our sister troops and family members that we were still short of what was needed to fulfill our goal, the girls decided to skip their year-end trip and use that money to purchase the rest of the items to complete the kits.”Before the girls unloaded the kits from their car, Disaster Program Specialist Chris Doty explained how they would be used. He then gave a tour of the emergency response vehicles.

Marilyn concluded, “The Red Cross helped a lot of families in the Middletown area during Tropical Storm Lee in 2011, and the girls wanted to give back to help other families during their time of need. One of our girls said it best when she told me, ‘They help people in need, so we have to help them to help people.’”

Friday, June 19, 2015

Twelve community volunteers visited the Red Cross office in York as part of The
United Way’s Day of Action on Friday, June 19, 2015. The group washed five Red
Cross vehicles inside and out, wrote and sent thank you cards to recent blood
donors, called blood donors to remind them of upcoming blood donation appointments,
and sorted and organized items for comfort kits.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

The American Red Cross South Central Pennsylvania Chapter is seeking nominations for its annual Heroes of South Central PA Awards. This special recognition event honors local individuals for their heroic and selfless acts performed in either Adams, Franklin, Fulton or York Counties.

Nominations will be accepted for the following categories:

911 Dispatch

Adult Good Samaritan (over 18 years old)

Animal (a person who aids or saves an animal or vice versa)

Aquatics (a situation that occurred in or around water)

Community Impact

Fire Fighter

Law Enforcement

Medical

Military (heroic action could have taken place elsewhere)

Youth Good Samaritan (under 18 years old).

In order to be considered, the heroic act must be ongoing or have been performed between August 18, 2014 and August 18, 2015. Nominees must live, work, or have performed their heroic acts in Adams, Franklin, Fulton or York Counties.

The nomination deadline is August 28, 2015.

Submissions should include the nominees’ deeds, as well as how they impacted the community or others around them. Any supporting evidence or documentation (such as photographs, videos, police reports, and news articles) should also be submitted, as should the names and contact information for any witnesses who could help provide more information if necessary.

Honorees will be recognized at the 13th Annual Heroes of South Central PA celebration to be held in November. To nominate a hero, or to obtain a nomination form, contact Ashley Martz at 717-771-3572 or ashley.martz@redcross.org.